Audubon California

10/17/2026

Are you ready to meet YOUR 2026 California Bird of the Year!? 👑⁣
⁣
🖤⁣
🖤⁣
🖤⁣
🖤⁣
🖤⁣
⁣
After weeks of heated matchups and passionate campaigning, TEAM CONDOR soared to victory in the FINALS❣️👏🪩 From just 22 California Condors remaining in 1982 to hundreds flying free today, this remarkable conservation comeback story is well worth celebrating - and a prescient reminder that protecting species for future generations requires continued dedication.⁣
⁣
🫶 All eight contenders connect us to California’s incredible habitats - and to the conservation milestones, communities, and program work we’re celebrating as part of Audubon California’s 30th anniversary. 🎂Their stories reflect more than 30 years of working together for birds across California.⁣
⁣
Thank YOU for voting, cheering, and sharing your love for the California Condor and so many of California’s other AMAZING birds. 🐦 💖 Only one bird could take the crown, but every bird reminds us what's at stake and what we can accomplish when we work together to protect the places birds and people need. ⁣
⁣
🐦 📸⁣
California Condors:⁣
1 - Public Doman/USFWS⁣
2 - Madison Roberts /Audubon Photography Awards⁣
3 & 5 - Terri Franzen/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
6 - Tom Ingram/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
7 - Mike Ince/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
8 - Loi Nguyen/Audubon Photography Awards ⁣
⁣
Burrowing Owl⁣
1 - Alecia Smith/Audubon CA⁣
3 - Esteban Astete Lucero/Audubon Photography Awards

10/11/2026

Happy World Migratory Bird Day!

Today, we celebrate the awe-inspiring journeys of migratory birds. At Point Blue, we protect these incredible travelers by restoring critical habitat, conducting long-term research and monitoring, and collaborating with partners and landowners to implement conservation solutions that support birds throughout their migration. Through projects like BirdReturns, the Migratory Shorebird Project, the Pacific Flyway Shorebird Survey, and the Intermountain West Shorebird Survey, we help ensure migratory birds have safe stopovers, healthy habitats, and the resources they need to thrive.

But you don’t need to be a scientist to contribute to conservation! All of these projects rely on community-powered data! Volunteer to count birds for science with Point Blue www.pointblue.org/engage-with-us/volunteer/ or get started by downloading eBird or iNaturalist. Your observations help scientists track changes in bird populations and inform conservation action.

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

This World Migratory Bird Day, we’re taking inspiration from the adventure of a Dunlin fitted with a tiny radio transmitter! ⁣
⁣
This bird was one of many individuals tagged as part of a collaborative research project involving our partners. ⁣
⁣
The study investigates how drought and changing habitat affect migratory shorebirds. The findings will help researchers better understand how shorebirds wintering in CA’s Central Valley shift to other habitats when inland wetlands become scarce, and how these conditions may affect their health.⁣
⁣
📍Researchers fitted smaller shorebirds, including Dunlin and Least Sandpipers, with lightweight Motus tags. Larger Long-billed Dowitchers received Argos satellite tags.⁣
⁣
Researchers also conducted body condition analyses on the shorebirds to evaluate factors like body fat and weight. 💪 ⁣
⁣
Here’s a glimpse of one incredible Dunlin’s 2025-2026 journey (so far…):⁣
⁣
💚 Spring 2025: Tagged at Yolo Bypass, a major wetland area near Sac, CA, the Dunlin was repeatedly detected in the area from late March through April before heading north along the Pacific Flyway.⁣
⁣
💚 April: reached Willapa Bay, an important coastal estuary in SW WA. On 5/7 the bird was still being detected near Tokeland, a small community along the bay. Just a few days later, its signal appeared ~1,250 miles away at Controller Bay, along Alaska’s Gulf Coast, east of the Copper River Delta! By 5/10 it reached Little Egg Island in Prince William Sound, a coastal region of in SC Alaska.⁣
⁣
💚 Fall 2025: After 5+ mos without a detection, the Dunlin was detected on October 29 at Napa-Sonoma Marsh, a wetland complex near San Pablo Bay in Northern CA. ⁣
⁣
💚 Winter 2025 - early 2026: Detections continued along wetlands in the Sac-San Joaquin Delta, including the Cosumnes River, south of Sacramento, where it was detected through Feb.⁣
⁣
💚 Spring 2026: After detections in the Sac and San Joaquin valleys, the Dunlin headed north again in April. The bird returned to the Willapa Bay area in SW WA, where it had been detected the previous spring! (Its latest detections were on 5/3 near Grays Harbor, another important coastal estuary farther north in WA.)⁣

10/10/2026

Team Burrowing Owl: Director’s Cut 🎬 The California Bird of the Year finals have been extended! The Western Burrowing Owl vs. California Condor final now runs through TONIGHT, October 9, at 11:59 p.m. PT.⁣
⁣
Meet Edwin Jacobo, Audubon California’s Assistant Sanctuary Manager and a researcher at Audubon Kern River Preserve. He’s been studying birds for 15 years, but he’s never seen a Burrowing Owl up close. Now he’s training to spot one in the field. :eyes:⁣
⁣
Edwin may still be training to spot one of these adorable owls, but our Audubon Kern River Preserve and Audubon Conservation Ranching teams already know how special these Grassland Lovers are. ⁣
⁣
Quick recap on just a few of the ways Audubon supports Burrowing Owls:⁣
⁣
At Hanning Flat, a 3,806-acre preserve in the Kern River Valley, Audubon California and partners designed artificial burrows, which volunteers installed. They’ve already attracted individual owls and nesting pairs, helping make the preserve a place these little “Howdy Birds” can call home. ⁣
⁣
Grasslands and rangelands provide important habitat for Burrowing Owls. Through Audubon Conservation Ranching, Audubon California works with ranchers and partners on habitat plans and science-based grazing and stewardship practices that support birds, biodiversity, healthy soils, and resilient grasslands.⁣
⁣
Which bird will take the crown? YOU decide. ⁣
⁣
Through TODAY October 9 at 11:59 PM PT, you can vote by:⁣
1. Commenting on any Instagram or Facebook post related to that match-up⁣
2. Voting through the polls in our Instagram Stories⁣
3. Filling out the online voting form (link in Bio)⁣
⁣
You can use ANY and ALL of these methods, meaning you can cast multiple votes. Let us know which team you’re supporting (and why) in the comments 💚

10/09/2026

Let’s take flight together! 🐦 Join us at Camp Po***ck in Sacramento on Saturday, November 7, for a reunion of our California flock!⁣
⁣
California Chapter Assembly 2026: "Taking Flight" will bring together community chapters, Audubon on Campus chapters, Audubon staff, and bird conservation partners for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration.⁣
⁣
Along the American River Parkway, we’ll share skills, brainstorm solutions, celebrate wins, and explore how we can advance our shared goals, including chapter priorities and Audubon’s Flight Plan priorities.⁣
⁣
💛 Saturday, November 7: Gather at Camp Po***ck for the Main Assembly sessions.⁣
⁣
🗓️ Make a weekend of it!⁣
⁣
🍽️ Friday, November 6: Meet fellow early birds for an optional no-host evening at a local Sacramento eatery. Attendees cover their own food and drinks.⁣
⁣
🦉 Sunday, November 8: Head outdoors for optional birding field trips to local Audubon Conservation Ranches and Sacramento-area birding hotspots. Spaces are limited; sign up during morning check-in or breaks at the assembly.⁣
⁣
Current and emerging chapter leaders are welcome—including volunteers and members who contribute to chapter projects and programs. (You don’t need a formal title to be a leader!)⁣
⁣
✨ Learn more and apply at the link in our comments.⁣
⁣
📷:⁣
1 - Cedar Waxwing photo by Shravan-Sundaram/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
⁣
2 - Yellow-headed Blackbird by Charles Janson/Audubon Photography Awards⁣
⁣
3 - California Quail by Joshua Pelta Heller/Audubon Photography Awards

10/08/2026

From the Salton Sea and desert landscapes to the coast and our urban communities, California’s birds connect us to places worth protecting. The people who care for those places bring stories and perspectives that make our advocacy stronger. ⁣
⁣
That’s why we brought voices from across California to Sacramento for the return of Audubon California’s Advocacy Day this past August. Our fabulously diverse group showed up from all over the state, representing staff, chapter members, Audubon on Campus chapters, Coastal Leadership Program alumni, and Salton Sea Leadership Program alumni, for a full day of meetings with staff from State Senate and Assembly offices. They shared what’s at stake for birds and communities, while learning from one another along the way.⁣
⁣
After seven years away, it was wonderful to be back at the Capitol together. 💚 Read the recap by Rhian Reyes, Audubon California’s Senior Program Associate, at the link in our comments!⁣
⁣
📷 (all) S Rhee/Audubon CA⁣
1️⃣ The 2026 Advocacy Day group poses in front of the California State Capitol building ⁣
2️⃣ San Diego Bird Alliance, Sea & Sage Audubon, & the Coastal Leadership Program ⁣
3️⃣ Representatives from San Mateo Bird Alliance, Sea & Sage Audubon, Yolo Bird Alliance, the Coastal Leadership Program, Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary⁣
4️⃣ The Salton Sea Leadership Program alumni enjoyed a happy hour debrief with Audubon California policy staff

10/06/2026

The California Bird of the Year finals have been extended! ⚡️The Western Burrowing Owl vs. California Condor final now runs through Friday, October 9, at 11:59 PM PT.⁣
⁣
Meet Edwin Jacobo, Audubon California’s Assistant Sanctuary Manager and a researcher at Audubon Kern River Preserve. 💪 He’s been studying birds for 15 years, but he’s never seen a Burrowing Owl up close. Now he’s training to spot one in the field. ⁣
⁣
Edwin may still be training to spot one of these adorable owls, but our Audubon Kern River Preserve and Audubon Conservation Ranching teams already know how special these Grassland Lovers are. 😍⁣
⁣
❤️‍🩹 Quick recap on just a few of the ways Audubon supports Burrowing Owls:⁣
⁣
🐣 At Hanning Flat, a 3,806-acre preserve in the Kern River Valley, Audubon California and partners designed artificial burrows, which volunteers installed. They’ve already attracted individual owls and nesting pairs, helping make the preserve a place these little “Howdy Birds” can call home. ⁣
⁣
🌾 Grasslands and rangelands provide important habitat for Burrowing Owls. Through Audubon Conservation Ranching, Audubon California works with ranchers and partners on habitat plans and science-based grazing and stewardship practices that support birds, biodiversity, healthy soils, and resilient grasslands.⁣
⁣
Which bird will take the crown? YOU decide. 👑⁣
⁣
🗳️ Through Friday, October 9 at 11:59 PM PT, you can vote by:⁣
1. Commenting on any Instagram or Facebook post related to that match-up⁣
2. Voting through the polls in our Instagram Stories⁣
3. Filling out the online voting form (link in Bio)⁣
⁣
You can use ANY and ALL of these methods, meaning you can cast multiple votes. 🐦 Let us know which team you’re supporting (and why) in the comments 👇

10/03/2026

⚡️ Will you vote for the California Condor or the Western Burrowing Owl in our California Bird of the Year FINALS?⁣ ⁣
⁣
🖤🧐 Condorleezza (an actual California Condor) went door to door to make the case for Team Condor. One tough rejection called for some mandatory self-care and a quick lunch break. But Condorleezza learned to Keep Calm and Carrion, and got right back to campaigning ❣️By the end of the day, she had knocked on more doors than we expected, and every person she spoke with said they were backing Team California Condor 🫶⁣
⁣
With a wingspan close to 10 ft, California Condors are hard to overlook! By 1982, only 22 remained in the wild. And in 1987, the species was so close to extinction that conservationists made the last-resort decision to bring every remaining wild condor into captivity. Audubon advocated for that controversial step, which helped give the species another chance.⁣
⁣
The first condor chick hatched in captivity in 1988 and was released back into the wild in 1992. 🐣 Condor #20, one of the last surviving birds born in the wild before the remaining population entered the captive-breeding program, went on to sire more than 30 chicks. He was released back into the wild in 2015.⁣
⁣
❤️‍🩹 How Audubon California supported California Condor recovery: With legislative and conservation partners, we helped lead the push for AB 821, which passed in 2007. The law eliminated the use of lead am******on in the range of the California Condor. We also co-sponsored AB 711, which expanded the nonlead requirement statewide and took full effect in 2019.⁣
⁣
Although condors have successfully reproduced at all release sites except Baja CA, these efforts have not yet resulted in self-sustaining wild populations, largely because of high mortality linked to continued lead poisoning. ✨ Despite this ongoing threat, there is still plenty of progress to celebrate. Today, about 275 CA Condors fly free across California, Utah, Arizona, and Baja California, while more than 160 remain in captivity.⁣
⁣
Are you joining Team Condor? 🗳️ Or will you be voting for the Western Burrowing Owl? 👇

09/30/2026

California Bird of the Year FINALS! 🎉 Western Burrowing Owl vs. California Condor starts NOW and runs through October 7 at 11:59 PM PT.⁣
⁣
After four opening-round games and two semifinals, your votes have brought us to our California Bird of the Year FINAL contestants.⁣ And starting today, our finalists face off for a chance to be crowned California Bird of the Year! ⁣
⁣
Both of these incredible contenders are closely connected to Audubon California’s conservation history. 💚 Here’s a recap of just a few highlights from decades of progress:⁣
⁣
BURROWING OWL⁣
⁣
✨ Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve team is helping create more places for these little owls to call home. At the 3,806-acre Hanning Flat Preserve in the Kern River Valley, artificial burrows designed by Audubon alongside our partners and installed by volunteers have already attracted individual owls and nesting pairs. 🐣⁣
⁣
CALIFORNIA CONDOR⁣
⁣
✨Audubon California, with legislative and conservation partners, helped lead the push for AB 821, which passed in 2007. The law eliminated the use of lead am******on in the range of the California Condor, an important step in addressing one of the species’ most persistent threats.⁣
⁣
Which bird will take the crown!? 👑 YOU decide. ⁣
⁣
❤️Through October 7 at 11:59 PM PT, you can vote by:⁣ ⁣
1. Commenting on any Instagram or Facebook post related to that match-up ⁣
2. Voting through the polls in our Instagram Stories ⁣
3. Filling out the online voting form (link in Comments section)⁣
⁣
You can use ANY and ALL of these methods, meaning you can cast multiple votes. 🔔 Turn on post and Story notifications, and let us know which team you’re supporting (and why) in the comments 👇⁣